malpractice???

[gia1234]

Well, I have my last script and can't afford to get any more and REALLY want and know I need to stop taking this sh*t. I've heard some bad things about the long term effects of vicodin, wondering if they're all true. My doctor had me on a number of things...tramadol, somas, xanax, vicodin es, mezcline.... I'm wondering since he has never run ANY tests to check my liver/kidney function, if I have any damage. I don't have ins so can't just run to a dr at any time. Plus I'm broke as hell. Wondering if I should just go to the free clinic right before I quit and tell them about the problems I've been having. Then maybe they can run tests. And since I didn't know about long term damage, or even that I could get addicted, I'm wondering if I should try to sue my doctor. I feel like this is his fault. Instead of fixing the sources of the problems I have or referring me somewhere else, he just kept giving me pills. Anyone know anything about this?

[checkmeout]

i'm in agreement.  doesn't seem like you should need anything to put them down.  just desire. and perhaps a few hot baths and some ibuprofin.

[gia1234]

Thanks. That was very helpful. I won't get on the sub stuff. I probably don't need it. I'm going to watch tv and relax. My bf gets home soon and doesn't know I'm on this site. He knows I take pills but I haven't told anyone (except my friend on this forum, who told me about it) I'm quitting. I should be back on the site tomorrow after 4 pm central time. Or Monday after 4pm. Unless I tell my bf, then I can go on whenever. I should tell him anyways. He'll back me up and help me too.

[marcatj]

... i also wanted to add, i DO understand your frustration.  had i never been prescribed it, i would not have become a pill addict.  i would never have sought it out "on the street..."  and yes i'd heard it was addictive, but so are alot of other things i never became addicted to.

so, i do agree with you.  we're not totally to blame for our addiction.  we didn't really KNOW what was going to happen...

but we are responsible for our recovery.  which is the only thing we can do something about.  and is where you are now...

[marcatj]

honey... i just read this after i read your other one..

again - at your current dose, please don't take a w/d med... you don't need it.  you absolutely don't need it.  i wouldn't put any more cra p in your body to get off 1-1/2 vik's a day...

with support, you can totally do this without a replacement drug.  i think you can anyway... just think about it, hun...

and keep posting.  as everyone said, we're posting - altho some of it may sound harsh - truly only to help you.  because most of us have been way worse... and want to stop you so you never get in the positions we did... it was really, really ugly.

[wait2long]

I went through the same anger process as you at first...i think its fine to a point, i think its the beginning of realization for some people, it was for me, as long as you know and admit you have a problem NOW. and also realize you do have to take responsibility for your own actions and recovery, it was a hard stage for me to get through also. i knew i had a severe problem, and i suspect my doctor knew also...when i had finally had enough of living the addicts lifestyle, i decided to make an appointment with him and come clean with him about my addiction (mind you, he had been my docotr for over 4 years!) and ask for some help or what was available...he basically threw me out of his office and then i got a letter in the mail within days telling me he would no longer treat me for ANYTHING. so he kind of left me out in the cold with no help and not a clue of what to do next, thats when i knew i was f*&%ed...but i got on the internet and started doing research and reading and learning about anything on addiction i could find, which in turn led me to methadone (BIG MISTAKE) for 10 months, then to suboxone maintenance, i had to find my own way, no one was there to help, and in my state doctors are not legally bound to help you with addiction, they can drop you flat on your face if they want anytime they want, even if they suspect any form of abuse, they will send you a letter stating they will no longer treat you, time to find a new doctor, which is hard to do once you have already been dropped by one, because they all KNOW why you were dropped (i live in a VERY small town)
it was up to me to "fix myself" and no one else, but it sure was hard to accept that, to accept that i had done this to myself knowingly and willingly... its still hard for me to come to terms FULLY with this part, i get so upset that i did this to myself...Good luck and i wish you all the best...

[GoingToMakeIt]

Welcome to the forum. All of us get touchy sometimes. Please forgive us. Some Drs really do say that you can't get addicted if you take as prescribed. I have seen this before. There is a very fine line between dependence (Our bodies needing the meds) to addiction where we will bend the rules to get the meds. This is oversimplified but true. If you are new here I ask you to put the bad things and any hurts aside. Give us a chance. You will see past this and realize we are all here to try our best to help and encourage each other. Remember as addicts, we look thru addicts' glasses. We don't mean to jump to conclusions, but we do. It is human nature.  I am sorry you were mislead by a Dr.
   The point now is to get off them, if that is what you want. There is a ton of experienced people that can give you tips and helps to get you out of this predicament. Again, Thanks for joining us.
   I don't know about the 'EYE' though. I feel like your looking inside me. :-)